I am shocked and saddened by the attack today on the compound of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Mazar-e-Sharif. There is no justification for this atrocity and I join President Obama in condemning this violence in the strongest possible terms.

On behalf of the United States, I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, Special Representative Staffan de Mistura, and his UNAMA colleagues. The United Nations staff killed were in Afghanistan to help the Afghan people build a better future.

The United Nations has stood by the Afghan people for more than fifty years. They have saved countless lives and delivered essential food and supplies. They are a force for peace, progress and stability in Afghanistan and throughout the world.

The United States strongly supports UNAMA and its mission and we will continue to stand together for a more peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.